Hey guys! Thanks for checking this out. I got this idea last night and decided to put it into words today. Let me know what you think, or if you would like to see certain things! = )

Chapter 1

It's Christmas Eve, and the Adams-Foster home is enjoying the holiday together.

"Do you remember our first Christmas here?" Jesus asked Marianna. The family was sitting together on the couch, snuggled together beneath blankets. Even though the kids were getting older, Christmas Eve was always like this. Stef and Lena didn't even have to ask for them to all get along, they would bunch together all on their own.

Marianna was snuggled into Lena's side, "Yes. I remember moms gave us each our own special ornament." She remembered, smiling.

"They had a picture of all of together, and stated it was our first Christmas together." Jesus said, pointing at the ornaments. They were hanging on the tree, facing the family on the couch. The twins cherished them, and always wanted them on the front of the tree.

"It was our first real Christmas." Marianna said quietly.

Brandon laughed, "Marianna almost saw Stef Claus."

Stef laughed, "I remember that. I was coming down the stairs with an arm full of presents and Mari was sitting in front of the tree. I don't think I've ever run up those stairs so fast."

The family laughed together, smiling about all the memories they had made over the years.

The house was beautiful. Mistletoe and lights decorated the whole interior. The tree was huge, and fully decorated. A star beamed at the top, making the ceiling glow.

Stef smiled up at Lena, "We have such a beautiful family."

Callie looked at the toy car in her hands. She felt awful, because it was such a small gift. She wanted Jude to have something, even if it was small. She knew he still believed in Santa, and Callie wasn't about to ruin that. If Jude wanted to believe that there was something good out there, she wasn't going to take that away from him.

She took a piece of newspaper from the trash, and wrapped up the car as best as she could. It wasn't real wrapping paper, it never was. Not since they had been in foster care.

Christmas was always the same for them, sad and lonely. She remembered how her mother would decorate the house, and bake cookies with her. The thought made her heart hurt, so she pushed them away. She missed her mom more than anything, but she couldn't show her feelings. She had to be strong for Jude.

Callie stuffed the wrapped car in her hoodie pocket, and trudged up the stairs. It was nine o clock now, Jude was fast asleep. She crept into their room, and as quietly as possible she placed it beneath his pillow. He stirred in his sleep, but didn't wake up. Callie let out a relieved breath.

Jude believed that Santa always placed his present beneath his pillow. On Christmas Eve, he would sleep without his pillow to make it as easy as possible for Santa to place the present.

Callie had to hide his present ever year. She was afraid if one of her foster parents saw it, they would take it. She couldn't risk it.

She left their room again to sneak to the bathroom. The floor created beneath her feet, and in a moment their foster father was outside his door glaring at her.

"I'm trying to watch TV, you stupid bitch." He snapped. He had a beer bottle in his hand, and was holding onto the door frame to keep from falling.

"I'm sorry." Callie said quietly. She didn't want him to yell. She didn't want to wake up Jude. Not tonight.

"You're sorry?" He laughed, stumbling towards her.

She wanted to run to the bathroom and lock the door, but she knew he would bang on it until he busted it down. Jude would certainly wake up. All she could do was stand there. Jude was her top priority.

"Yes, I'm sorry." She said, again.

He threw his bottle at her, and it hit her on the chest. It shattered against her. Glass and beer coated her chest. She shook her sweatshirt to try to shake off the glass, which enraged him.

He lunged at her, and shoved her into the wall. He got into her face and started screaming. His breath stank, and hot spit began hitting her face the more he screamed.

He threw her onto the ground, and began to kick her. She rolled over, trying to move. Her body felt like it was on fire. She kept from crying, because she knew it would only satisfy him.

He laughed, and kicked her again, making her roll onto the stairs. She rolled down them, crashing to the floor. She cried out, gasping from the pain. She stood up, forcing herself to deal with the pain.

He pummeled down the stairs, and Callie began to run.

She ran to the kitchen, searching for something to protect herself with.

He came up from behind her and grabbed her by her hair. He slammed her against the counter, her chest taking the pain. He tossed her onto the floor and kicked her some more.

Callie couldn't say anything, she couldn't move. She was too afraid.

Stef's phone began to buzz, distracting the family from the movie they were watching.

"Who is it?" Lena asked.

"The station." Stef answered, confused.

"I thought you had tonight and tomorrow morning off." Lena asked.

Stef nodded, "Me too."

"Foster." Stef answered. The kids and Lena watched as Stef took the call. Stef's eyes widened, and she looked angry.

"I'll be there." She said, and hung up the phone.

"What is it?" Lena asked, worried.

Stef got up, heading towards the stairs, "Emergency, two kids. I'll explain later." She said as she dashed.

The family frowned, sad that she had to leave.

Moments later Stef came down the stairs dressed in her uniform, "I love you all. I'll be back soon."

Before they could say anything, she was out the door.

He was holding Callie by her neck, hitting her in the face. He was a strong man, Callie was no match. He tossed her to the floor again, and stood up.

The sound of sirens stopped him mid kick.

Both he and Callie looked around the room, watching as red and blue lights danced along the walls and ceiling.

Callie searched the room, and her eyes fell on Jude. He was sitting in the corner of the room, grasping the phone. Tears streamed down his face, and he stared at Callie like a dear in headlights. Callie's heart sank.

"You piece of shit!" He screamed, kicking Callie in the side. She cried out, in pain.

Stef parked the cruiser on the side of the road and dashed outside. Her gun was drawn, and she burst through the front door. The sight before her shattered her heart. Two kids, on Christmas Eve. One on the floor, beaten, and the other hiding in the corner watching.

"Put your hands in the air now!" Stef screamed.

The man stepped back immediately, hands in the air.

"Listen," he said as he backed up, "you got this all wrong."

"I'm sure buddy." Mike said, as he cuffed him. Mike shoved him in front, and made him walk out the door.

Stef grabbed her walkie talkie, "I need an ambulance, now." She said.

She rushed over to the girl on the floor, and knelt down. The girl was laying on the floor, her face already bruising. She was heaving, and her body was bloody. Stef felt sick.

"J-Jude." She cried out.

"It's okay, Love." Stef said, touching her shoulder lightly.

"N-No!" Callie said, lurching back. She tried to stand up, but fell to her knees.

Jude rushed over to her, grabbing his big sister.

"Callie?" He cried, staring at her.

"J-Jude. Santa came." Callie choked out, "Look under your pillow." Her words were coming slow, and Stef knew it was a bad sign. She looked at the boy beside her. He was sobbing and clinging to his sister.

"Jude, I-I love you." Callie said, her body sliding to the floor.

"Callie!" Jude screamed, tears streaming down his face.

Stef tried to take the boy into her arms, and he immediately fought his way out, "No please don't hurt her." He cried.

"I'm not going to hurt her Love, I'm here to help." Stef explained, trying to fight back her own tears.

"Jude? Is that your name?" She asked, and the boy nodded.

"A-And Callie?" She stammered, trying not to cry in front of him. He nodded again.

"Okay Jude, I'm going to take care of Callie. How about you go upstairs and get your things and Callie's things?" She asked. She knew Callie would be in the hospital for a while, and more than likely Jude would either be placed again or stay with her. She hoped he would be able to stay with his sister.

Jude ran up the stairs and came back a few moments later with two backpacks and a ball of newspaper.

"Is that it?" Stef asked, confused.

Jude nodded, "This is all of our things. Callie says we need to always be ready to go in case we have to run from someone." He explained.

Stef put her hand on the girls wrist, checking for a pulse. It was light, but it was there.

"What's that?" She asked, referring to the newspaper.

"This is from Santa. Callie says it's from Santa but I know it's from her. She always gives me one thing on Christmas because she thinks I still believe in Santa. I know it's her, but I don't tell her. I don't want to hurt her feelings." He said quietly.

Stef looked at the two kids, her heart breaking for them both. She heard the ambulance, and she got up.

"What's happening?" Jude asked her, grabbing Callie's arm.

"They're going to help Callie." Stef said, softly.

"No! They can't take her." Jude sobbed, clinging to his sister.

EMTs and CPS walked through the door at the same time.

"No!" Jude sobbed, "Please don't take her!" He screamed, staring at Callie.

A woman in a suit took his arm, "Come with me, Jude."

Jude shook her hand off, "No, not without Callie." He cried.

She peeled him off of Callie, grabbing his arm, "I'm sorry Jude. You have to come with me." She told him. Jude sobbed, and tried to fight but she had a better grip this time.

The EMTs loaded Callie up immediately, rolling her out the door. Jude screamed and sobbed, still trying to fight the woman.

Stef watched in silence. She didn't know what to do.

The ambulance took off moments later, and Jude continued to scream.

"Callie!" He continued to scream, sobbing as he tried to get away.

The woman didn't say anything, she took him to her car and made him get inside. She took the two bags and put them in the front passenger seat.

Stef went outside the house, and the woman waved to her as she pulled away.

Stef put her head in her hands, finally letting the tears flow.

She walked to the sidewalk, looking down when she saw something. The present. Jude dropped it when he was put in the car. Stef bent over, picking it up.

It wasn't taped.

She opened it up, carefully. Inside was a little red toy car. Stef wrapped it back up, and put it in her pocket.

She knew what she had to do.

Thank you so much for reading this! Let me know what you think, and what you are hoping to see! = )